Showing posts with label Norse mythology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norse mythology. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
The Mythology Bible by Sarah Bartlett
By the title, it is obvious this book is an ambitious one and it is a decently thick one. Despite this, this book could be a lot thicker. The content in the book is good and the writing is nice to read with its straightforward nature, making the lack of what could be in the book disappointing. It gives a desire to want more and if the writer could work on a revision with a lot more added in, that would be amazing. It's a fantastic book held back by only adding a bit of each mythology and the lost potential is depressing to see.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Gods And Goddesses: Loki
Loki is the son of Farbauti and Laufey, having two siblings, Helblindi and Byleistr. Later on in life, Loki gets pregnant himself and gave birth to the eight legged horse Sleipnir. Loki is one whom at times helps the gods, while at other times doesn’t.
A trickster god, Loki has three wives and has the ability to transform into many forms. Although he has three wives, Loki takes whatever opportunity to take advantage of any goddess he could. Loki notably is currently being punished for eternity for causing the death of Baldur, at least until Ragnarok occurs.
The three wives of Loki are Glut (who bore the daughters Einmyria and Eisa), Angrobda (who bore the wolf Fenrir, the serpent Jormungand and the goddess Hel) and Sigyn (who bore the sons Narvi and Vali).
A story of Loki often told is how he caused the death of the peace god Baldur. It was Loki whom upon learning Baldur’s weakness (mistletoe), got the blind god Hod to shoot Baldur with mistletoe, killing the god. If all earthly things mourned the death of Baldur he would be brought back to life, to the misfortune of Baldur an old hag refused to mourn his death. This old hag turned out to be Loki in disguise.
While Loki is in bonds as punishment for what he did to Baldur, his wife Sigyn collects venom that falls from a serpent. When the bowl is full it is emptied, with whatever venom that drips on Loki in the meantime causing Loki to writhe in pain and cause earthquakes. When Ragnarok comes, Loki is to slip free from his bonds and fight against the gods, where he and Heimdallr shall kill each other.
A trickster god, Loki has three wives and has the ability to transform into many forms. Although he has three wives, Loki takes whatever opportunity to take advantage of any goddess he could. Loki notably is currently being punished for eternity for causing the death of Baldur, at least until Ragnarok occurs.
The three wives of Loki are Glut (who bore the daughters Einmyria and Eisa), Angrobda (who bore the wolf Fenrir, the serpent Jormungand and the goddess Hel) and Sigyn (who bore the sons Narvi and Vali).
A story of Loki often told is how he caused the death of the peace god Baldur. It was Loki whom upon learning Baldur’s weakness (mistletoe), got the blind god Hod to shoot Baldur with mistletoe, killing the god. If all earthly things mourned the death of Baldur he would be brought back to life, to the misfortune of Baldur an old hag refused to mourn his death. This old hag turned out to be Loki in disguise.
While Loki is in bonds as punishment for what he did to Baldur, his wife Sigyn collects venom that falls from a serpent. When the bowl is full it is emptied, with whatever venom that drips on Loki in the meantime causing Loki to writhe in pain and cause earthquakes. When Ragnarok comes, Loki is to slip free from his bonds and fight against the gods, where he and Heimdallr shall kill each other.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Gods And Goddesses: Hel
Hel is the goddess of the underworld, ruling over the Underworld called Helheim. The daughter of the deity Loki and giantess Angrboda, Hel is ugly and half-dead, described as half alive and half dead. Not a pretty face, but is a notable goddess as her name gave the English word of ‘hell’.
Originally raised in Asgard with her father Loki, the underworld of Helheim was given to Hel as a domain. With Helheim as Hel’s domain, she decided the fate of the souls who entered her domain whom are all who die unless one died heroically in battle. It was the god Odin whom gave Hel Helheim, so as a gift to Odin, Hel gave him two ravens (Huginn and Muninn).
Helheim, being named after Hel herself, is where the dead are judged. The evil are banished to a realm of freezing death. Those who die peacefully of old age or illness, children and women who died in childbirth are watched over by Hel. Those who chose a path not of war and violence are reborn.
When the god Baldar died and went to Hel’s domain, a feast was held to welcome Baldar. It was begged of Hel to release Baldar from death, and agreed under the conditions that if every creature on earth mourned for Baldar. All mourned, except for an old giantess called Thokk (who was Loki in disguise).
Originally raised in Asgard with her father Loki, the underworld of Helheim was given to Hel as a domain. With Helheim as Hel’s domain, she decided the fate of the souls who entered her domain whom are all who die unless one died heroically in battle. It was the god Odin whom gave Hel Helheim, so as a gift to Odin, Hel gave him two ravens (Huginn and Muninn).
Helheim, being named after Hel herself, is where the dead are judged. The evil are banished to a realm of freezing death. Those who die peacefully of old age or illness, children and women who died in childbirth are watched over by Hel. Those who chose a path not of war and violence are reborn.
When the god Baldar died and went to Hel’s domain, a feast was held to welcome Baldar. It was begged of Hel to release Baldar from death, and agreed under the conditions that if every creature on earth mourned for Baldar. All mourned, except for an old giantess called Thokk (who was Loki in disguise).
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